Chapter 896: Get Her Exasperated

After washing, she called Theodore, who was asleep. He'd gone to a club after returning home last night, intending a one-night stand, but had been unable to become aroused and had slept only a few hours. He awoke feeling utterly exhausted. Recognizing Hannah's call, he concealed his annoyance. "Hey, Hannah," he answered.

"Did I wake you?" Hannah asked.

"Just tell me," Theodore mumbled, sitting up.

"I'm going to the hospital to see the baby, then returning to Kensbury," Hannah said.

Theodore checked the time; it was after 8:00 a.m. Yawning, he replied, "I'll pick you up in half an hour."

"Thank you."

"Hannah," Theodore began hesitantly.

"Don't worry," Hannah smiled. "I'm not mad, even though I know he was out all night."

He felt a pang of guilt at her generosity. "I know he has a reason," Hannah added. "He won't fail you, believe me," Theodore said earnestly.

She remained unconvinced, but smiled. "Okay, I'll wait."

"Okay."

After hanging up, Hannah's smile faded. When Theodore arrived, she entered the car with a bag of breakfast.

"Did you make breakfast for Oscar?" Theodore asked.

"No, the cook did. He came back early, and I couldn't finish it all, so I brought some for Oscar. I barely know how to cook; I almost burned the kitchen down last night trying to make dinner. Oscar saved me."

Theodore imagined her clumsy efforts and the likely romantic interlude that followed. He usually missed the nuances of their relationship, but assumed they'd reconciled.

"What about the 'special' things I prepared last night?" Theodore teased.

She simply smiled. He took that as a good sign. They arrived at the hospital, chatting easily. Lillian and Oscar were having breakfast prepared by Max.

Oscar was surprised to see Hannah. "I didn't expect you so early."

"I brought breakfast," Hannah explained. "I asked Theodore to pick me up. I forgot you had Max."

Max, present in the suite, looked embarrassed. He felt awkward around Hannah after being asked to serve Lillian in the Capital.

"What did you bring?" Oscar asked, pausing his meal.

"Sandwiches, milk, and eggs—the cook made them," Hannah replied.

"Great," he said, reaching out.

"You're hungry?" Hannah asked.

"Yeah," Oscar nodded.

Hannah blushed; the word evoked their previous night's intimacy, a thought shared by Theodore, who smirked. He glanced at Lillian, catching a flash of hatred in her eyes. He frowned. Lillian's heart skipped a beat; her animosity nearly exposed. She quickly plastered on a friendly smile.

"Hannah, I thought you'd sleep in. You must be exhausted. You should have called so Max could prepare some for you. You must miss his cooking!"

After giving Oscar the breakfast, Hannah smiled. "It's okay; there will be other times. No need to bother Max."

"No bother at all, Ma'am," Max quickly responded.

Hannah smiled. "I'll remember that next time."

"Stay for lunch?" Max offered, genuinely wanting to cater to her.

"I have to go back to Kensbury. We'll have other chances; I'll visit Oscar and the baby more often," Hannah smiled.

Max nodded, though disappointed. Lillian seemed surprised, though secretly relieved. But the news of more frequent visits made her sulky.

"I need to go home to see my son," Hannah explained.

"I understand," Lillian nodded. "Motherhood changes you. I feel it now."

Hannah smiled and changed the subject. "May I hold the baby?"

"Oscar just fed her, and she's asleep," Lillian emphasized Oscar's role. "She won't wake," she added.

"Okay," Hannah said calmly.

Lillian clenched her teeth, realizing she'd underestimated Hannah. Hannah took the baby from the crib, smiling.

"Does she have a name?" she asked.

"Not yet. She's a Wells; I'll leave it to Oscar," Lillian replied, turning to him.

Oscar nodded. "Una Wells."

It was clearly a well-considered choice.

"Una Wells? I love it!" Lillian exclaimed.

"Glad you do," Oscar smiled.

Hannah repeated the name softly, "Una." "I'll bring Sal to play with her when they're older. He'd make a good protector."

Oscar smiled. Lillian's face darkened. Who does she think she is? she fumed. Bringing her commoner son to be her daughter’s protector! In Lillian's eyes, Una was noble, while Sal was a bastard. The suggestion of equality was humiliating.